Walsall Football Club

Stunning strikes from Robbie Muirhead and Ben Reeves gave the dominant Dons a deserved two-goal half-time lead. 

 

Stuart O’Keefe added a fortuitous third before Erhun Oztumer pulled one back, only for Harvey Barnes to restore MK’s three-goal advantage seconds later. 

 

The result means Walsall end the season in 14th place. 

 

Robbie Neilson’s Dons, who knew they could secure a top-half finish with a win, took the lead with the game’s first meaningful opportunity on 11 minutes. 

 

Muirhead raced onto Harvey Barnes’ majestic lofted pass and lashed an emphatic half-volley beyond Craig MacGillivray at his near post. 

 

Ex-Hearts man Muirhead went close to doubling his and the visitors’ tally with a low left-footed drive which MacGillivray got down well to claim. 

 

Walsall’s first real chance came on 27 minutes, when Eoghan O’Connell nodded George Dobson’s free-kick across to Kory Roberts, whose close-range header was tipped over by Lee Nicholls. 

 

But the Buckinghamshire club doubled their advantage in spectacular fashion just past the half-hour, Reeves cutting inside onto his left foot and hitting a fierce 25-yard strike into the far corner. 

 

The Dons could have gone even further ahead as Barnes broke into the box before seeing a shot blocked, with Ed Upson – who curled wide moments earlier - dragging the rebound off target. 

 

Ben Tilney then sliced an effort well wide as Nielson’s rampant visitors continued to dominate. 

 

 

Having seen his team outplayed in the first half, Walsall boss Jon Whitney made a double half-time substitution – bringing on Flo Cuvelier and Kieron Morris for youngsters Roberts and Mitch Candlin. 

 

Morris was immediately involved, steering a low drive wide after some good skill from O’Connell. 

 

Dons still remained a threat, with George Baldock having a 25-yard curler spilled by MacGillivray, who gathered at the second attempt. 

 

Morris then fired straight at Nicholls, while Barnes found the gloves of MacGillivray at the other end following a swift counter-attack. 

 

MK added a third goal with 19 minutes remaining when Ben Tilney’s 20-yard drive took a wicked deflection off O’Keefe and nestled into the bottom corner. 

 

The Saddlers pulled one back six minutes from time, Oztumer advancing towards the box and drilling a thunderous left-footed strike past Nichollls. 

 

But the Dons restored their three-goal lead just seconds later.

 

Barnes weaved his way into the area and fired a low drive into the net - via a telling deflection off James O'Connor. 

 

Team: MacGillivray, O’Connor, O’Connell, Roberts (Morris 45’), McCarthy, Chambers, Dobson, Edwards, Oztumer, Candlin (Cuvelier 45’), Makris. 

 

Subs not used: Ganley, Kinsella, Bakayoko, Sangha, Kouhyar.